Pinkerton warns community of person soliciting students

DERRY — Pinkerton Academy is warning parents and students of an individual from Massachusetts who may be soliciting student-athletes to compete in “an underground wrestling club” at local hotels.

Parents recently received a student safety advisory telling them that the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association has learned of the alleged solicitations through the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The individual identifies himself as Manny Whelan on Facebook and offers student athletes money to compete in an underground wrestling club, the advisory said. The solicitation of student athletes may not be limited to wrestling, the advisory said.

The advisory goes on to say that officials aren’t aware of any actual contacts in New Hampshire but “there is a strong likelihood that this individual has contacted New Hampshire student athletes given our proximity to Massachusetts.”

The individual is being investigated by the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the advisory. Anyone having information on the individual or offers to compete in non-sanctioned NHIAA events should notify their local police department and Pinkerton Academy immediately, the advisory said.